What are you doing tomorrow night?

Answer: you are coming to Brooklyn, to see me.

Also some other people.

No, but seriously. Tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. I will be at Soda Bar with Heather, Doug, Sarah, and Greg. (Scott, aka Pretty Rambo, will be there as well.) We will be there to sign copies of Things I Learned About My Dad (In Therapy), which you might notice over there in the right-hand column.(If you like you can BUY A COPY AND THEN WRITE SOMETHING NICE ON AMAZON. No pressure. Do it. Doitdoitdoit.)

And that's not all! After the Soda Bar festivities, we will be moseying a few blocks away to Cringe, the monthly reading hosted by Ms. Sarah Brown. Supposedly I will be reading something at this event. It seems incredible to me that I will be able to scrape myself off the ground and shower by tomorrow, much less get to Brooklyn, much less talk to people and write my name on things and then get up in front of friends and strangers and read my pre-teen tribute to Billy Joel. But I have promised, and at least I'll be able to have a drink, or four.

Isn't it nice when someone tells you what you're doing? All that confusion about what's to come—all of it has been washed away. It's all so clear, now. Brooklyn, you, me. See you there.

Comments

[clarabella]

Sometimes it is nice to be told what you're doing, especially when you don't feel like deciding yourself. I wish I COULD come! Alas, I am WAY TOO FAR AWAY to get to Brooklyn tomorrow night, but I will be thinking about how much I would enjoy having a drink with you. Good luck tomorrow.

[dee]

Good luck and have fun tomorrow! Being around that witty group of folks is sure to lift your spirits. It may even lift other things like your shirt. ;-)

[Sara]

This is going to be a great distraction for you. Let your people take care of you.

[Yoshi]

I don't suppose you will have copies available to buy on the spot, will you??

[Tara]

I agree with others, I think this will be good for you--a distraction, some good friends who know what you're going through, and surely much alcohol. I mean, heck, Dooce will be there, right? PARTY. I wish I could be there. . .

[kommishoner]

hang in there, alice. i'd be there if i weren't stuck out here in sf. think of a public reading as a way to get the accolades you so richly deserve.

[Sarah]

Is that an Office reference? Just say yes. Say yes. Do it. Do it! I hope so, because then at least I know you have a chance for 30 minutes on Thursdays of getting a smile. :) If not, ditto everyone else, just have a drink and let the other folks do the hard work!

[Gudgrlal]

If I could afford a plane ticket from Alabama to Brooklyn I would SO be there! That sounds like such a fun, grown up thing to do – Yes, grown up...I'm around my 2-year-old son all the time (not complaining, really!) and would love some grown up time activities. So, take lots of pictures and post them...what's that saying about living vicariously...

[Angela]

Brooklyn is definitely The Place to Be tomorrow evening. Congrats to all of you!

[madge]

Almost three years later, I'm feeling all those First Year After Leaving Brooklyn emotions. You will be around the corner from my old place and I'm stuck up here in Maine. Blast!

And, many deep bows to you for actually leaving the house this week. I'm sure I couldn't muster the same internal fortitude. Best of luck to you.

[hi kooky]

Oh hilarity, I would LOVE to hear you read your pre-teen tribute to Billy Joel (if indeed that wasn't just a figurative reference to the silly things we write when we're fourteen...). I can only imagine. Unfortunately, I am nowhere near Brooklyn.

[Weeze]

Thank you, Alice, for materializing on my street.

[Barb]

Wish I could be there...

Hope it's just what you need.

[Kate]

Starsky & Hutch - Do it, do it. DO IT.

Have fun, Alice!

[Kat]

Hi Alice,

I'm slow off the draw, so I didn't get to comment on your last few posts, but please add my warm thoughts to the 800 or so you're already feeling. My heart hurts for you. The internet has got your back.

[Joanna Schmidt]

Friends are good that way. So is Brooklyn.

[Miss Grace]

Sadly I don't live on the proper coast. But I think that THE INTERNET is right--it's nice to have people plan your day for you.

Still thinking of you!

[fatboyfat]

Would love to come, but the 7,000 mile intercontinental round trip is a bit of a bind.

[Dawn]

I wish. I hope all the support you're going to get soothes your soul at least a bit.

[Antonia]

Give me a month's notice next time and I'll come and buy you a drink.

[Brian]

And you're going to give me a ride? Really? I'd have thought that would be too much, but if you insist.

[Angela]

It kills me that I live so closely to Brooklyn and yet I can't go. Damn college finals! I hope it goes well though. Have fun!

P.S. - Already ordered my copy on Amazon and I will definitely be leaving a positive review when I'm done.

[Sarah Brown]

There will be copies for sale at the signing.

[Lisa C.]

Alice, I just finished the book tonight (I had pre-ordered it ages ago and totally forgotten about it until it showed up on my porch, seemingly unannounced). I really liked it. In general I'm not the biggest fan of essay collections, but this one was really good, and the entries really came together to make a cohesive point.

TBH, though, I did not enjoy the last two essays. I thought they were a little off from the rest of the entries but I'm not quite sure why.

[janny226]

So close, and yet so far... from Queens to Brooklyn. I think I can do this, bedtime is at 8 and Daddy should be home! Wahoo.

[amber]

I'll be there, and I'm going to Cringe, too! I'm excited.

[Wicked Stepmom]

I ordered my copy of your book last week! (YAY!)

Amazon hasn't delivered it yet. (BOO!)

Would love to come down to Brooklyn (live in Westchester) but... I don't think CPS would appreciate me using duct tape on my kids so they don't kill each other or burn down the house while I leave them alone.

Good luck tonight.

[Bipolarlawyercook]

Would that Brooklyn was a 3, not 5 hour drive from Boston. Please accept a virtual hug from me instead, a virtual free drink on me. Hugs. Drink. More hugs.

[dana]

I do plan to be there (and buy a book if they're for sale) but have to leave for a #@$%! work thing at around 6:30. So if you see someone suddenly bolt out in the middle of the reading, please know that it wasn't because she didn't like it but because she had to attend a dull and time-sucking event elsewhere. I don't know if I'll get a chance to tell you in person how very sorry I am for your loss, and how much your writng has meant to me, so I'm saying it now ... see you tonight!

[Jen]

Do ya'll think you could shoot on down a few more blocks to, say, Florida?
Oh well, my thoughts and well wishes are there with you, Dooce, and Laid off Dad! Enjoy and hope the drinks help a bit!

[bluejeanamy]

why must i live in san francisco, why?!

have a great time!!

btw - your twitters spanning the today show segment with heather followed along exactly with my brain. who the f does klg think she is and where did her real face go?!

[Pretty Lush]

THEN! Come to Southern California! We have pretty weather here, and lots of cocktails!

[Jessie]

oh no I just read this! I live in Cobble Hill--I would have loved to come hear (and meet ) you all. Hope it was fun.

[dana wyzard]

I won't be there, dammit, but I promise to stay right here, til you get back. I want to hear all about it.

[Gayla]

Preteen Tribute to Billy Joel! I am sad to miss that. I did not love when I was a preteen but I do now. I am either getting old and bland or more awesomer.

[janny226]

Alice, it was so nice to meet you and give you a real hug, not just a virtual one. You deserve much more. And the play was great. Tho I never heard of "Stiletto" either... but I have my own Billy Joel obscure fave, "You Were the One" I think it's called. Anyhow, the stranger known as my bed is beckoning me...

[Nickie]

Have a nice time in Brooklyn, Alice! :D

[test]

Link Test:
yahoo

[Christina]

You are amazing to have gone and done that in light of all that you are enduring right now...sincerely!!!
I am thee most bummed out person in Jersey today! Since Heather announced on her website that you guys would be in Brooklyn all I could think about was going, buying the book and having you gals sign it!!! But alas my husband had car trouble on his drive home which derailed me from plan and I didn't make it!?! I'm still giving him the silent treatment :(
I hope things are getting easier for you and I hope that yesterday was an really good day for you!!!

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Well, I wish I could bend time and space and also get a plane ride in there to make it to NYC. But I am sure it was awesome. And my copy of the book arrived yesterday as well - damn good timing. If I were able to bend time and space, that is.

[dorothy]

You know that if I could transport myself, Star Trek-style, to Brooklyn, I so totally would. Have a great time. I have the book, and will be sure to write nice things as soon as I inhale it.

[HeyJoe]

Dearest Alice,

Alas, I am unable to accommodate your request, air fare being what it is, however this in no way diminsihes my desire to be there.

Disappointingly grounded,
Joe

[jessica]

Windsor Terrace here. Had a meeting in Manhattan last night. Dang. Now if I had known about the post Soda Bar trek to Cringe, I so could have done it.

Eh. Bygones. Will there be an encore?

[Joanna Schmidt]

So....did you have fun??

[Dory]

Aw, maaaaan, I wish I lived closer. Damn Iowa.

[Mon]

Oh, you are truly an amazing person. I understood your words about a genetic abnormality for what they were. I think most out there did. In my family, we have had to deal with this issue and lost one twin and now hoping that the one in the NICU is going to make it. That you selflessly wrote an apology for which there really was no need is remarkable and selfless and you make me want to cry. I am so sorry for this loss and for how you are feeling. I hurt for you and wish that the teeny bit of pain I feel for you could somehow steal some of the pain you are feeling. I wish you the very best. Thank you for having this blog so that you can help so many other people.

[blakspring]

Alice,
I had a great time at Soda and it was so awesome to meet you. You are so funny and cute - especially in that photo with Doug. (Sorry I didn't comment sooner but I've just been in a surreal haze since Wednesday night.)

[misstraceynolan]

You rock.